Alfred P.C. Petsch
Encyclopedia
Alfred P. C. Petsch was a Democratic
member of the Texas House of Representatives
for the 85th District of Fredericksburg
and Gillespie County
. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel
who saw service in both World War I and World War II. Petsch was also an educator, a lawyer, a civic leader and a philanthropist.
to Joe F. and Ida (Baag) Petsch. As was the custom among Germans of the Texas Hill Country
of that era, Petsch grew up speaking only German
, and did not learn English
until he attended college outside the community.
. The same institute would two decades later include Lyndon B. Johnson
among its alumni. Petsch worked as a school teacher to fund his education. From 1906-1907, and the fall semester of 1908, Petsch attended the University of Texas, graduating from University of Texas School of Law
in 1910 and passing the State Bar of Texas exam
that same year. In 1934, Petsch was licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Petsch opened his first law office in Fredericksburg on January 1, 1911.
during World War I
on May 26, 1917. He served at Camp Funston
, at Camp Travis (later absorbed by Fort Sam Houston
), and at Camp Grant
in Rockford, Illinois
, where he was discharged on December 3, 1918, with the rank of Major
of Infantry
. In 1919 he received an appointment as Major in the Infantry Reserve. During World War II
, Lieutenant Colonel
Petsch served at Camp Bullis (1942–43), the Hereford Internment Camp (1943), and Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Hot Springs, Arkansas
(1943–45).
He was a Democrat, 85th District, Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, elected in 1924 to the Texas House of Representatives
, succeeding Samuel Ealy Johnson, Jr.. He was reelected in subsequent terms until 1933. Petch was again elected in 1935, serving until 1941.
After Citizens Bank and Bank of Fredericksburg closed their doors in 1932 during the Great Depression
, a committee was formed to organize a new bank to serve the needs of the community. Petch served on the organizing committee, along with H.H. Sagebiel, E.H. Riley, H.A. Ries, W.H. Schaefer, Eric Juenke, Edward Stein, W.J. Schroeder, John W. Metzger, and M.L. Bogisch. The new bank opened its doors as Fredericksburg National Bank on April 6, 1932. Petsch served on the board of directors from its founding, as chairman of the board from 1969 to 1979, and as the bank's attorney.
Petsch, a friend of Lyndon Johnson and his wife Lady Bird Johnson
, was a major financial contributor to Lady Bird Johnson Park.
He helped to organize the Hill Country Memorial Hospital and served on its board of directors during planning and construction.
He was also was a contributing force to the development of the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Naval Museum
.
Colonel and Mrs. Petsch were influential members of many local civic organizations, such as
the non-profit Hill Country Student Help scholarship entity, the Community Chest, and the local 4-H
youth organization. They were made honorary lifetime members of the Parent-Teacher Association
in 1968. On September 28, 1969, Fredericksburg celebrated Alfred and Myra Petsch Day. The Alfred and Myra Petsch Appreciation Dinner, which drew 500 people at $2.50 a ticket, was held at the Fair Park Exhibition Hall. President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson shared the head table with the Petsches.
He retired from his law practice in 1980 and died on November 28, 1981, in Fredericksburg. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
member of the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
for the 85th District of Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, Texas
Fredericksburg is the seat of Gillespie County, in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census estimate, the city had a population of 10, 530...
and Gillespie County
Gillespie County, Texas
Gillespie County is a county located on the Edwards Plateau in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2010, its population was 24,837. It is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Gillespie is named for Robert Addison Gillespie, who came to Texas in 1837. He was a Texas Ranger, an Indian fighter, a...
. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
who saw service in both World War I and World War II. Petsch was also an educator, a lawyer, a civic leader and a philanthropist.
Early years
Alfred Petsch was born on August 16, 1887, in Luckenbach, TexasLuckenbach, Texas
Luckenbach is an unincorporated community thirteen miles from Fredericksburg in southeastern Gillespie County, Texas, United States, part of the Texas Hill Country. It consists of between South Grape Creek and Snail Creek, just south of U.S. Highway 290 on the south side of Farm to Market Road...
to Joe F. and Ida (Baag) Petsch. As was the custom among Germans of the Texas Hill Country
Texas Hill Country
The Texas Hill Country is a vernacular term applied to a region of Central Texas featuring tall rugged hills consisting of thin layers of soil atop limestone or granite. It also includes the Llano Uplift and the second largest granite monadnock in the United States, Enchanted Rock, which is located...
of that era, Petsch grew up speaking only German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, and did not learn English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
until he attended college outside the community.
Education and early career
Petsch graduated in 1906 from Southwest Texas State Normal School in San MarcosSan Marcos, Texas
San Marcos is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, and is the seat of Hays County. Located within the metropolitan area, the city is located on the Interstate 35 corridor—between Austin and San Antonio....
. The same institute would two decades later include Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
among its alumni. Petsch worked as a school teacher to fund his education. From 1906-1907, and the fall semester of 1908, Petsch attended the University of Texas, graduating from University of Texas School of Law
University of Texas School of Law
The University of Texas School of Law, also known as UT Law, is an ABA-certified American law school located on the University of Texas at Austin campus. The law school has been in operation since the founding of the University in 1883. It was one of only two schools at the University when it was...
in 1910 and passing the State Bar of Texas exam
State Bar of Texas
The State Bar of Texas is an agency of the judiciary under the administrative control of the Texas Supreme Court. The Texas Bar is responsible for assisting the Texas Supreme Court in overseeing all attorneys licensed to practice law in Texas...
that same year. In 1934, Petsch was licensed to practice before the United States Supreme Court.
Petsch opened his first law office in Fredericksburg on January 1, 1911.
Military service
Petsch was commissioned a Second LieutenantSecond Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
on May 26, 1917. He served at Camp Funston
Camp Bullis
Camp Bullis Military Training Reservation is a U.S. Army training camp located in Bexar County, Texas, just northwest of San Antonio, USA. The camp is named for Brigadier General John Lapham Bullis ,...
, at Camp Travis (later absorbed by Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston
Fort Sam Houston is a U.S. Army post in San Antonio, Texas.Known colloquially as "Fort Sam," it is named for the first President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston....
), and at Camp Grant
Camp Grant (Illinois)
For other uses see Camp Grant.Camp Grant was a U.S. Army facility located in the southern outskirts of Rockford, Illinois named in honor of General Ulysses S. Grant...
in Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
, where he was discharged on December 3, 1918, with the rank of Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
of Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
. In 1919 he received an appointment as Major in the Infantry Reserve. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Petsch served at Camp Bullis (1942–43), the Hereford Internment Camp (1943), and Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Hot Springs is the 10th most populous city in the U.S. state of Arkansas, the county seat of Garland County, and the principal city of the Hot Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area encompassing all of Garland County...
(1943–45).
Legislative career
Petsch was appointed Gillespie County Attorney, March 1911.He was a Democrat, 85th District, Fredericksburg, Gillespie County, elected in 1924 to the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
, succeeding Samuel Ealy Johnson, Jr.. He was reelected in subsequent terms until 1933. Petch was again elected in 1935, serving until 1941.
Committee assignments for Representative Alfred P.C. Petsch
Source: Legislative Reference Library of Texas39th R.S. - 1925 (Jan 13, 1925 - Jan 11, 1927)
|
| 40th R.S. - 1927 (Jan 11, 1927 - Jan 8, 1929)
|
| 41st R.S. - 1929 (Jan 8, 1929 - Jan 13, 1931)
|
| 42nd R.S. - 1931 (Jan 13, 1931 - Jan 10, 1933)
|
| 44th R.S. - 1935 (Jan 8, 1935 - Jan 12, 1937)
|
| 45th R.S. - 1937 (Jan 12, 1937 - Jan 10, 1939)
|
| 46th R.S. - 1939 (Jan 10, 1939 - Jan 14, 1941)
|
Newspaper
In 1915, the Fredericksburg Standard was purchased by the Fredericksburg Publishing Company, which also published the German language newspaper Fredericksburg Wochelblatt. Petsch was a founding member and director of the publishing company, as well as a contributor of a weekly newspaper column titled We Believe.Civic participation
As a member of the Fredericksburg Progressive Business League, he worked in 1913 to bring a railroad to Fredericksburg. Petsch served on the Fredericksburg school board, and was president of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce 1923–24. He helped reorganize the Gillespie County Fair Association in 1922. Petsch was one of the organizers of the Hill Country Bar AssociationAfter Citizens Bank and Bank of Fredericksburg closed their doors in 1932 during the Great Depression
Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began with the Wall Street Crash of October, 1929 and rapidly spread worldwide. The market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth and personal advancement...
, a committee was formed to organize a new bank to serve the needs of the community. Petch served on the organizing committee, along with H.H. Sagebiel, E.H. Riley, H.A. Ries, W.H. Schaefer, Eric Juenke, Edward Stein, W.J. Schroeder, John W. Metzger, and M.L. Bogisch. The new bank opened its doors as Fredericksburg National Bank on April 6, 1932. Petsch served on the board of directors from its founding, as chairman of the board from 1969 to 1979, and as the bank's attorney.
Petsch, a friend of Lyndon Johnson and his wife Lady Bird Johnson
Lady Bird Johnson
Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Taylor Johnson was First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969 during the presidency of her husband Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for beautification of the nation's cities and highways and conservation of natural resources and made that...
, was a major financial contributor to Lady Bird Johnson Park.
He helped to organize the Hill Country Memorial Hospital and served on its board of directors during planning and construction.
He was also was a contributing force to the development of the Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Naval Museum
National Museum of the Pacific War
The National Museum of the Pacific War is located in Fredericksburg, Texas, the boyhood home of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. Fleet Admiral Nimitz served as CinCPAC, Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet during World War II...
.
Colonel and Mrs. Petsch were influential members of many local civic organizations, such as
the non-profit Hill Country Student Help scholarship entity, the Community Chest, and the local 4-H
4-H
4-H in the United States is a youth organization administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture of the United States Department of Agriculture , with the mission of "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development." The name represents...
youth organization. They were made honorary lifetime members of the Parent-Teacher Association
Parent-Teacher Association
In the U.S. a parent-teacher association or Parent-Teacher-Student Association is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a public or private school. Most public and private K-8 schools in the U.S. have a PTA, a...
in 1968. On September 28, 1969, Fredericksburg celebrated Alfred and Myra Petsch Day. The Alfred and Myra Petsch Appreciation Dinner, which drew 500 people at $2.50 a ticket, was held at the Fair Park Exhibition Hall. President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson shared the head table with the Petsches.
Personal life and death
Alfred Petsch married Myra Slator on May 3, 1918, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio. The couple had two children.He retired from his law practice in 1980 and died on November 28, 1981, in Fredericksburg. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.
Memberships
- Order of the Eastern StarOrder of the Eastern StarThe Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization that both men and women can join. It was established in 1850 by Rob Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who had been an official with the Freemasons. It is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all...
- Alfazar Temple of the Mystic Shrine, San Antonio (founding member)
- The Imperial Shrine
- Rotary ClubRotary InternationalRotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
- Masonic LodgeMasonic LodgeThis article is about the Masonic term for a membership group. For buildings named Masonic Lodge, see Masonic Lodge A Masonic Lodge, often termed a Private Lodge or Constituent Lodge, is the basic organisation of Freemasonry...